Introduction
It is a common misconception that if a feature request gets enough "Upvotes," it automatically gets built. While community interest is a massive factor in our decision-making, it is not the only one. Occasionally, we have to say "No" to great ideas. Here is why.
1. The "Swiss Army Knife" Trap
There is a concept in software called Feature Creep. When a product tries to do everything for everyone, it eventually becomes mediocre at everything and good at nothing. To keep our tool powerful and easy to use, we must guard against adding features that drift too far from our core mission. If an idea is great but belongs in a different type of software, we will decline it to keep our interface clean.
2. The Maintenance Tax
Every line of code we add is a line of code we have to maintain forever. A "simple" checkbox might require dozens of hours of maintenance every year to ensure it stays compatible with browser updates, mobile OS changes, and security patches. We have to ask: Is this feature's value worth the permanent "tax" it places on our engineering team?
3. The 1% vs. the 99%
Sometimes, we receive a request that would be a "game changer" for a very small group of power users, but it would make the app more confusing for the other 99% of our customers. In these cases, we prioritize the "Common Good" to ensure the platform remains accessible to everyone.
4. Technical Debt
Our software is built on a foundation of existing code. Sometimes, a request that looks "easy" on the surface would actually require us to rewrite our entire database structure to accommodate it. If the cost of the "foundation work" outweighs the benefit of the feature, we will mark it as "Closed."
The Silver Lining: A "Closed" status today doesn't mean your feedback was ignored. We keep a permanent record of every request. If technology changes or our company strategy shifts, we often revisit closed requests to see if they now make sense.